India’s first independent ammonia storage terminal set to launch in 2026

By Admin

24 Jun, 2025

India is poised for a significant transformation in its ammonia handling capabilities with the announcement of the country’s first independent ammonia storage terminal. Aegis Vopak Terminals Limited (AVTL) has unveiled plans to commission this groundbreaking facility at Pipavav, Gujarat, by the end of 2026, marking a critical step forward in India's clean energy and industrial logistics ambitions.

A Landmark Project at Pipavav

The terminal will be developed as a brownfield project at AVTL’s existing site along Gujarat’s strategic west coast. With a planned storage capacity of 36,000 metric tonnes, this facility is set to revolutionize India’s ability to handle and store ammonia efficiently and safely.

The project represents an investment of €53 million (INR 5.3 billion) and will be fully financed by AVTL, a joint venture between Aegis Logistics Limited and Vopak India. Once operational, it will provide vital infrastructure for ammonia imports to support India’s growing fertilizer sector and future exports of green ammonia, an emerging pillar in the global transition to clean energy.

Supporting India’s Green Energy Goals

The development of this terminal aligns with the Government of India’s broader vision for green fuel. Under the Harit Sagar Green Port Guidelines, released by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in May 2023, India aims to establish bunkering infrastructure for green ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol at all major ports by 2035.

Ammonia, especially green ammonia, is increasingly recognized as a crucial hydrogen carrier for international supply chains. Its role in decarbonisation has gained momentum, and India already a leading global ammonia producer is now making strategic moves to leverage this potential.

Momentum in Green Ammonia Projects

India’s green ammonia sector is seeing rapid activity. In March 2025, a Japanese consortium including IHI Corporation, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines signed an MoU to explore a green ammonia project in India, targeting 400,000 tonnes of annual production for export to Japan.

Likewise, Hygenco Green Energie began constructing a green ammonia plant in June 2025 at Gopalpur Industrial Park, Odisha. The plant’s first phase aims for 600 tonnes/day capacity by 2027, with expansion plans to reach 1.1 million tonnes/year by 2028.

AVTL: A Leader in Terminal Infrastructure

As of December 31, 2024, AVTL is India’s largest third-party tank storage operator for LPG and liquid products, according to a CRISIL Report. The company operates terminals at six major ports and has emerged as a vital player in India’s energy logistics.

Vopak, a global tank storage major based in the Netherlands and a 42.23% stakeholder in AVTL, brings extensive international experience. It operates six ammonia terminals worldwide and is steadily expanding into industrial gases and clean energy infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

AVTL’s ammonia terminal is not just an infrastructure upgrade it’s a strategic asset for India’s energy future. By bolstering ammonia import capacity and laying the groundwork for green ammonia exports, this terminal places India firmly on the global hydrogen and clean fuel map.

With commissioning targeted for late 2026, the Pipavav terminal is a symbol of how public-private synergy can accelerate India’s transition to a greener, more energy-secure economy.